Original subtitles

We need to get into a character, okay?

Slow down, my feet hurt.

All right, Irene, just remember that we are Greek, okay?

I'm going to do all the talking, we have to get into this party.

Try and talk to somebody important, all right.

If I can get hired for the Olympics then "Hola Brazil".

Brazil.

Beautiful, yes.

One more, nice.

Hi, we should be on the list. My name is Theodora.

And this is my sister Irene.

We are the direct descendants of the first Olympians.

Nope.

We really should be on that list.

You please check. Every page.

Wait until our ancestors hear about this.

I can't believe that was your best idea.

It's almost as ridiculous as as when you pose as that sports agent

to meet that quarter guy.

Okay, punter. He was a punter, thank you very much

and he was very cute.

Okay, what I remember is... you showed up in the meeting you couldn't come out of after.

Well, you've to admit, life is more fun when you've got goals.

It is goals.

What are we gonna do now?

Do people from Brazil desperately wanna travel to New Jersey?

I thought college would help me escape

but it failed.

I'm right back where I started, plain and small.

Credit cards.

No, you are not going into debt just so you can chase poison in the Southern Hemisphere.

Please Mom! It could be a culturally immersive experience.

- It could change my life. - I don't think immersive is a word.

Yes, it is. And what can be more worse than bad credit, you know?

I think it's about time that I become less local and more global.

I'll tell you what is more worth.

Is you getting your life going towards a worthwhile goal.

Don't waste time!

Honey, we need to save very penny for law school.

- And besides its best for you to stay in school until-- - The economy gets better, great.

Precisely. Everyone I know from college is going abroad after graduating moment.

- What do you do? - It's plans with money, Dora.

You need to expand your social circle or network or whatever you call it.

But Irene and I've been friends since we've lived in the city, Mom.

How about something sweet?

...or run away. I'll go to Ohio

Or go to Nevada or go to Singapore.

But then I've to be a stowaway on that ship and that'd be really weird.

But then I'll make a living from my...

something, but then I'll become famous and then she'll be sorry.

And I'll be set to do something big.

And she'll show up and I won't recognize her.

Right? And then I'll turn around and say, "Mom? What mom?

I don't know what this woman is talking about, please take her away."

- Dora? - What?

You've gotta snap out of this.

Yeah, so says the girl about to leave for South America.

I'm sorry to interrupt Miss Huntington,

it's getting late if we're gonna be picking up your friend.

Bri is meeting me at the airport.

Brianna is going with you?

I couldn't go alone.

No, no, I guess, you couldn't.

All right. You're gonna be late.

- I love you. - I love you. Have fun.

Honey?

We can go to the shore every weekend when the weather warms up.

Can you sign this "Get Well" card for your Aunt Vera, please?

- Would you like to know what happened to her? - Yeah, what happened?

She broke her foot.

She was dancing.

God bless her.

Oh, my, Aunt Vera is bringing it down. It's kinda cool.

Yeah, I guess so, except that at her age a broken bone

is going to take an awful lot longer to heal.

Oh, gosh and there's that book Paradise that just came out.

- What kinda book? - Oh, it's Nena Gabrelle's autobiography,

now it's on best seller list.

Nena Gabrelle who is the... actress?

No, Nena Gabrelle, the bimbo.

Oh, God, you don't know about this.

So, wait. Turns out that uncle Theodore

faked his death and ran off with her back in the 60's.

What?

- No way, that's crazy. - Right.

Oh, my God, your room, have you seen your room?

Ta-da!

You signed up for the prep course thing, right?

- You did not just clap your hands at me, Mom. - Yes, I did, Dora,

I'm trying to energize you.

Let's go Dora, come on you can do it.

This depressions of yours really get in the way of your progress.

Stop, stop.

I'm just trying to support you, honey.

We'll miss together, you know?

Real fab, wish you're here instead of Bri.

Did Irene even graduate? I thought she flunked out.

You can let go off me now.

Okay.

Is Aunt Vera have anyone taking care of her?

No, not yet, she doesn't like to have strangers in her house.

So they're still trying out to find someone.

No, no, no, no, no. Have you lost your mind?

- Please don't clap at me again. - No.

You cannot take care of any old woman, right now. Dora, no.

- That's final. - I owe her, it's the least I can do.

I'll go look into the train schedules.

Yes, you do that. Because I'll damned if I am going to drive you.

This is silly, I'll drive you.

The cleaning lady says that she needs help in and out of the bath tub.

No problem, there.

She likes music but no cd's, only record albums.

Hey, is this Grandma's coat?

Well, I thought, I play the part of the dowdy poor relation.

Like the Gothic novel.

...The eve of departure is upon me yet?

I must journey to Great Aunt Vera's country manor.

Except that it's Brooks brothers and very expensive.

Why don't you play the part of a bright young girl

who aspires to become a successful lawyer.

Hmm?

Okay. Most importantly, keep her spirits up, she likes her cocktails.

But you've to ask her if she wants one, she won't make it herself.

And cut her toe nails.

That's gross.

- That's gross. - That's the job.

Why does it always seem like everything fabulous is so far away from me.

And I think, it's all right there in your head.

Ladies and Gentlemen, an important announcement...

I'll be up on March, 1st to take you to the test

and I'll come and get you whenever you want, okay? All you have to do is call me.

You're arrested for murder...

Aunt Vera?

Hello?

You can feel the end of your terror...

Aunt Vera?

Good afternoon, Dora.

You can turn that off.

Do you want some help?

I'm cold, I wanted a fire. And I've always hated this chair.

Here.

All right, all right, all right, just a moment, yeah.

- Hold on, hold on, I... - Yeah.

I can walk. I'm not a invalid.

So, please, do not treat me like one.

If you want to be useful...

you can bring-in that poor resina plant out there.

Bring her inside.

Don't leave the door open, please hurry.

I don't think, this is fire wood yet,

but I can try to use your hammer.

No, Dora, it will come back.

And then we'll put it in the sun where it belongs.

Machine picks it up.

Can I... can make you a cup of tea?

No, tea.

No... tea.

- Aunt Vera, would you like a drink? - Martini dry with a twist.

Yes, ma'am. Cocktail comin' up.

I-I love your home.

Does it have a name?

I've never understood, how you can name a house?

Unless houses come when you call them.

My grandfather built it.

When he died, my family moved here from Charleston.

It was quite a cultural shock.

I guess, this is where I'll die.

So, you've come to help your feeble aunt.

Great Aunt.

You can't be happy about it.

Oh, I've volunteered.

You need your head examined.

Hi! Hi, yes, yeah, everything is fine.

I love Aunt Vera.

What a... warm and gentle soul.

Yeah, I think, I think, this is going to be the best thing I've ever did.

Yes, I'm been serious, Mom.

Yeah.

Okay, okay, I gotta go.

Yes, there's a desk with a chair and my computer on it, okay? Goodbye, Mom.

I graduated college.

So I heard.

What degree?

Pre-Law and a minor in English Literature.

Here is to your wonderfully useless degrees.

- Which you paid for and I'm forever thankful. - Hmm-mm.

And I just turned 20.

And to being 20.

And all that it means.

- Oh, it should meant, take a travel. - Oh, hmm.

When I traveled continually for years.

Now...

I've a garden and it takes up my time.

- I'm sure, it's beautiful on the Spring. - Hmm?

It's beautiful, now. It's just dormant.

And I hear you still dancing. That's amazing.

- Where do you dance? - Dance?

I heard you broke your foot dancing.

I broke my toe, not my foot.

Just my toe. But through me off-balance, a great deal

because the damn thing is just like an anchor.

And I can't drive.

Oh, no, I can't even go, up and down stairs.

And, they moved me down into the study.

Well, you could always learn to...

chair dance.

Now I see your father.

He died too young.

It's strange to think, I spent half my life without him already.

I was your age when I met Theo.

Wasn't he some sort of, like, war journalist, right?

Oh, honey.

He was the best.

We met when he was here in Saugerties.

Well, he's still paying his dues

and he was covering a story with cement factory.

And when he left...

I've followed him.

That's romantic.

I'm taking the LSAT in March.

Vive la France

Vive la France.

Yes, indeed.

You must not follow me.

Okay, okay. Maybe just a little.

But you must face space between us because...

I can't be seen with you.

A commoner.

But you belonged to me.

No, I belong to France.

Vive la France.

Vivian has gone senile.

"In 1968, the brilliant journalist and fiction writer Theodore Marxos

went missing and was presumed killed for covering the war in Vietnam.

And began a new life with his mistress, actress and anti-war activist

Nena Gabrelle"

Wow.

"Dear Irene, how am I? I'll tell you.

Life is so still at my Great Aunt Vera

is a state that a depression would be redundant.

I'm wearing thermals and socks at ease.

While you are on the beach with Brianna."

Is that okay? Does that hurt?

"But I'm happy for the both of you. Sort of."

- Is that-- Okay, okay, okay, okay. - Wait, wait.

"The picture of the ocean in my head is gone.

It must've evaporated."

Trying to lift on viewers spirit

is about as easy as trying to lift an enormous elephant."

"But sometimes, Aunt Vera is not so doll."

Aunt Vera?

"At least the dream I had when I was 12 has now come true.

Remember, how we wanted to be characters from a 19th century novel.

But still waiting for my dashing suitor to arrive.

You're an extremely grounded friend, Dora"

These are the dressy sweaters.

Go get the other box.

Dora?

I'm freezing down here.

I'm gonna burn the other chair.

Wait, you're pulling my hair. That's it.

How long you've been here?

Twelve days.

Seems like forever.

Here.

- What's that? - Make haste, it gets dark early.

Can I help you?

Uh, where are the aspirins?

Aisle 2, in the middle.

And, um...

I need some...

Suppositories.

I'm sorry.

I need some suppositories.

Oh, Bill.

Can you grab some of those anal laxatives there?

What else?

- I'll fix you up. - No, no, no.

Bless you.

Okay.

Welcome to Dig.

Burn! Who's wearing these?

No one here, it's resort wear.

Like South America.

Like... Aruba. Warm and tropical.

Oh, you can put your things over here.

I haven't seen you here before.

Oh, I'm just visiting my Great Aunt.

- I'm Dora. - Abbey.

Always wanted a Great Aunt.

Does she wear like the big chunky jewelery and Caftans?

No. She wears rings but doesn't wear anything like Kaftans.

That's unfortunate.

- Oh, the dressing rooms are over there. - Oh.

Oh, lovely weather you've out there.

Just, looking for a gift.

- Uh, male or female? - Hmm?

Well, I've never really ever considered purchasing anything living.

But I, lean towards the Female, just out of habit.

My butt looks huge.

Well, you can't go wrong with jewelery.

If there's more what you've in mind.

Sure.

Oh, God, oh, I'm sorry. I'm--

Nice outfit. Was is that, an art piece?

Gone wrong.

Can I take a look at... this one.

Good choice, it's very popular.

Oh, that's beautiful and very in.

Uh, I like being in.

It's important.

Yeah.

- I guess, so, I'll take that one. - Okay.

That was simple.

My daughter is turning 15, can't believe it.

Seems there problems keep getting bigger but at least the gifts get smaller.

Right?

Oops, sorry.

Can I have you sign on this?

Hmm-mm, thank you.

Thank you, hope she enjoys it.

Sure, she will. Appreciate your help.

Thank you very much for shopping at Dig.

Please come again.

I just sold a necklace to one of the biggest music producers of all time.

- Nikki Summers. - Oh, my, rock n roll, God.

Who is that?

Nikki Summers, You two, REM, Nine inch nails.

I've heard that he was making an album with the wood star.

I would love to sing for him.

Wait, you're a singer?

- And song writer. - Yeah?

That's cool. I've been in high school, we were called Jane's Girls.

And all of our songs were based of characters from Jane Austen's novels.

But the only song we actually got down right was "I got a bed from Mr. Dorsey."

- I would love to hear this. - Oh, God, well, I can never perform in front of an audience

So our band died.

You need some stylization.

What?

Oh, wow.

- I don't know if I really need this jacket. - You look amazing.

There's a little zip, look at this shape.

- This is such a nice shape. - I feel like a new woman.

Yes.

Oh, can I hear one of your songs?

Okay. But it's just a demo.

- Oh, my gosh, I love this you've such a nice voice. - Thank you.

Yeah, well, we have to get you in Nikki Summers music studio.

I mean, then you can sing for him.

You can't just walk-in there. Those kinds of sessions are closed.

Abbey, Doors are for opening, I can get you into Nikki Summer's music studio.

Oh!

Okay.

- Oh, oh. - You just need some accessories.

Hello.

Hi, yeah, okay.

Okay, all right, I'll be home soon, okay?

All right, bye.

Oh, my God.

- You look like a rock star. - Thank you.

Who has to buy a dog diapers.

"August, 1952.

Saw Theodore again today, we talked for hours.

He's the first real journalist, I've ever met.

His ideas get me so excited.

He calls me Jean after Jean Arthur.

I'm a good sport, he says.

I had a dream about him last night.

We were together, he smiled at me.

- Oh, what about House of Mars? - Oh, get out of the 19th century.

Okay, well, Tropic of Capricorn, yes.

Oh, God, I used to have such a crush on Henry Miller.

Is it possible to lust after to a dead man?

Mmm, when I was younger, Jack London, did it for me.

Miller was always too stimulating, the smell of raw onions

and the taste of Go Cheese.

Raw onions and goat Cheese?

Hmm, that's what his... and big sir smell like.

You've been to Henry Miller's apartment?

Was it like super... earthy?

It was more like Dingy.

Oh, wait.

I think, I've found one. Yes.

You can get down now.

Bloody Footprints in the Sand.

Woah, Aunt Vera.

Now, I'm a murder mystery, creepster.

Oh, damn.

- Is it Tuesday? - Hmm.

The Socrates Poetry Club.

- What do they want? - I host the monthly poetry readings.

- When? - Now, we used to do it at the lighthouse, but listen,

there're cold drinks in the refrigerator and cheese.

And I want you to greet and welcome each and every one of them.

What me? Why? Wait, where you going?

- What, I look forward to hearing a poem. - I never read, I just support.

- What are you doing here? - Abbey, hi.

This is my Aunt Vera's house. Are you a poet?

No, not really yet. It just helps with my song writing.

- Is this everyone eating? - Yeah.

- Wait, your Great Aunt is Vera Marxos? - Yeah.

What? You must be really cool to like hang out with her.

It's depending on her mood.

You know. But I found her journal's

from like really, really long time ago.

- No way. - Yeah.

- What do they say? - It's wild and you'd never know it,

but she used to do this thing called tramping.

So, Aunt Vera and uncle Theo they'd jump on a moving train cars

and that's how they traveled.

- Like a hobo? - Like, like, romantic hobos.

Oh, did you find out getting into Nikki's recording session?

- Closed - I've got a plan.

And I've got the clothes.

Do you think I need to welcome everyone?

- Yes. - Yeah, oh, thank you.

Good afternoon.

I'm Aunt Vera's niece.

And I love poetry.

Sounds like an A.A. meeting.

Sorry.

In the room, women come and go,

talking of Michelangelo.

Yes, thank you, Dora. It's so nice of your aunt

to offer her home to the poetry up.

Guy Reid, can you please take this away?

Okay, before I begin, I just want to remind everybody

the end of Winter Poetry Festival is coming up very soon.

We sell posters and tickets so we really need to get the word out.

The other night I was in the fast food parking lot,

trying to decide whether to turn left

and go out into the night or to turn right and drive home.

I was wanting to satisfy a deep longing for beauty.

But I realized that satisfaction of that longing is not possible.

Art is the best chance we have of finding truth.

And therefore being beautiful.

If the muse allows.

So I wrote this poem.

"Burst"

"Cosmic Rays, pierce your body, every second.

Four times. Healing nuclear eye and other particles from stars.

It's a measurable fact.

How many cosmic rays in a nano second?

0.000000001, the tiniest smidgen.

But in the last second just gone by light from the energy,

you just saw traveling nearly a billion feet.

In ten seconds, Thousands of cosmic rays is passing by

through space and time.

How many through my heart or love the beautiful ones through your eyes."

"Day 4, Crossing near Atlantic.

I like to stare at the water not for the horizon

but straight down deep.

Virginia is no more.

Vera means truth and that's what I'm after.

Truth."

"Dear V, Here's the article,

I'm bloody stuck, see what you can do.

Pound it out and send it back to the embassy in Budapest fast.

Tell your mother, no chance in hell of us getting an anonym.

Theo."

"Normandy

Theo hates that he miss D-day and talks about career all the time.

Last night, we slept on a burned out barn near the beach.

I tried to focus my mind on the waves instead

of the sound of rats annoying around us.

I wanted adventure.

We walked whole day. I saw an old woman in the field.

I stopped and helped her collect rocks.

She lived through two world wars.

It's now real to me, I wanna grab it and write about it

like Theo does, my brain fills up

but scatters quickly as Theo pulls me away towards his interest.

Must find the map of Asia.

Istanbul, it's our seventh anniversary.

Theo forgot.

He confuses the day with the first time we had sex.

But after seven years, Theo depends on me and my red pen more than ever.

Kims Bergs suggested I become an editor and quit torturing

myself trying to get published.

Theo agreed but they were drunk.

They're probably right. Damn them."

Who's your inspiration?

If it wasn't for my niece Dora, I would never have known

how extraordinary my life was and is.

I have fresh eyes, I-I'm so proud of our latest book.

I'm not an invalid, so, don't treat me like one.

Would you like a picture?

What the hell are you doing?

What, what are you doing, you're not supposed to walk upstairs.

How dare you?

Put them away!

But Aunt Vera, these are like the best things

I've read in decades.

What would you know?

No one wanted to publish what I've wrote.

Oh, no, they want the mystic of being the wife of the great writer.

No one wants reality.

You put them away.

Why are you running?

But it gets the adrenaline going.

If you fall on those clothes you own them.

Okay, close your eyes, ready?

We need to get into the character.

- I'll be your agent. - Manager.

- Are they closed? - Yeah.

Good, okay, great. So, Abbey.

I want you to visualize yourself as a rolling stone reporter.

You're writing a incredible-- - Abbey.

Ed, what're you doing here?

I know Nikki.

Well, aren't these kind of sessions closed or...

Only reporters and weirdos.

- What are you doing here? - Actually we know Nikki too.

Really? Oh, you've to jam with these guys.

- Could we come in-- - Yeah, let's go.

- Yes. - It's freezing.

It's good. Sounded good.

Okay.

Hey, the boutique girls. What do you know?

Hey, guys, let's take five.

My God.

So, what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?

Well, we didn't get to tell you the other day but Abbey here is

is an incredible--

Chris, you animal.

I'm gotta get you out to L.A. with me,

check out Stewart Copeland's new studio...

Sacred grow. I've been drumming my ass out there.

It's the best to stay in shape.

Are they any fat drummers?

That's funny.

Uh, Buddy Miles I suppose.

- Bernard Purdie? - John Bonham

- Fat, pear shaped. - Mmmm.

Uh, towards the end.

I'll give you that.

- What you reading? - Hmm? Oh, this is...

This is the new Nena Gabrelle's new memoir.

- No way. - Yeah, very randy stuffs.

Not pretty well written. But very randy.

Theo Marxos is my Great Uncle. Actually, yeah.

And I'm living with his wife Vera in Saugerties right now.

And she's my Great Aunt.

- Are you serious? - Yeah.

You gotta be shitting me, I'm a huge, huge Marxophile.

In his writing, uh, about America after the war changed my life.

- Hey, Nikki, I don't mean to barge in-- - Can I just ask you...

Did your Aunt Vera mentioned anything about this book?

No, no, no, no, no not at all.

Um, and I'm kind of an ashamed to say but I actually haven't read any of my uncle's writing.

But I did find this, huge box of years journals

from like way back in a day.

Oh, my God.

Did you read some of those I hope.

Hell, yeah, I can't--

- I think, Dora-- - Did you know, was your Aunt Vera,

was she with him in Korea?

Yeah, they traveled all the time.

You know, I actually I think I'm named after my, my Uncle.

Theodore-Dora-Theodore

- So I wanted to say-- - Sorry to interrupt.

I've a close friend in the city,

he's with Degraw publishing.

And I've gotta feeling, he'd love to take a look at those

if your aunt is interested in publishing them.

- I just wanted to ask-- - Oh, yeah, that would be huge.

Are you kidding me, I'm sure it would take her out

of the major, major slum, she is in, you know.

I'm sorry, you guys, I'm just realizing, uh...

You gonna have to skid out off it.

I've to get the boys back to work.

- Thank you, so much. - Great talking to you.

Good seeing you thanks for stopping by.

- Hey, Ed, you're gonna sit there or you're gonna get the boys. - Yes, sir.

Thank you for the best day yet in Saugerties.

- Oh, my God. - And I'm glad, one of us had a best day.

Nikki will listen to your music, I'll be sure of it.

- As your manager-- - You don't listen...

Manage your own life.

Kinda felt like such an idiot standing there.

I'm... sorry.

No, I'm the one who is the loser

to think that I could sing for "Nikki Summers"

Please get out of my car.

Okay.

We found a lonely stretch of sand

and spent our day swimming in making love.

I'm home. - Teddy caressed me with his literally brilliance.

Reciting poetry and prose as the water lapped our naked bodies

It was a shared baptism in a new life together.

- After months of traveling-- - It's so cold.

...we found our paradise.

Bring me that dead resina.

No.

Leave that poor suffering plant alone.

I'll get you some firewood.

Where did you get this?

A surprisingly mean spirited ex, sent it to me.

"Vera, Damn that Teddy but he never fooled you.

Best, George."

Damn that George.

Wait, you knew about Nena?

I'm going to show you how to make a perfect gin martini.

I didn't break my toe dancing.

You know, I got a call from that damn reporter about Nena's book

Well, I pretended to know all about it. Ho, ho, ho.

And then after I hung up, I kicked the pantry door in.

Oh, I wonder what happened to that door.

Theodore, moving.

Writing, which is little nurse made in dough.

His idea of paradise.

Yeah.

Nikki, Nikki.

Hey, Dora Theodora, sit down, how are you?

Good.

I see you brought us stash.

So, listen, I've been thinking, uh...

You sure your aunt wants to do this?

Hmm? Yeah, of course, she... wants to share

with the whole world.

Okay.

It's awfully brave of her.

I'd want somebody diggin' around my closet!

It's a whole other story.

But my friend told me he would love to...

get his hands on this, so...

Wait, Nikki, you've to do me a favor if you're gonna take this.

Okay, what's that?

You've to come to the Poetry Festival next weekend.

Fine, sign me up.

The what?

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, I thought the force majeure was as fascinating as that...

Yeah, hmm-mm.

Okay, I gotta go, Mom.

Yup, I love you too. Bye.

Do depressions run in our family?

You are not depressed.

You are unhappy, if I were you, I'd be unhappy too.

Why are you going to law school, Dora?

Don't know.

It will make my degree useful.

There's one way to go, right?

Go where?

According to you, France.

That is something that I say when someone I know

is about to commit themselves to something that might not be right for them.

I was going to secretarial school,

instead I went to France.

Oh, wow, right now, I can't do anything,

I can't go to France, I can't go to Brazil,

I can't go anywhere. So, maybe

I should just become a lawyer so I can actually afford

to do the things that I wanna be doing, Aunt Vera.

You're a Wells, Dora.

We do not follow a straight line.

Was dad like me?

He... pursued his passions mightily.

So, no, you're not like your dad.

He was in the theater.

When you came, your mother wanted him to quit.

I do know that he loved you and your mom very much.

She never talks about him.

I think, I will go in the village.

If you need anything just call me.

I won't need you.

But you do need me Aunt Vera

because you have a broken toe and I cannot wait for it to be unbroken.

I told you.

I'm a pauper, I hold a big bag of clothes I can't even afford.

Abbey.

I'm busy.

I'm just returning the clothes.

I didn't eat in them.

Except when I ate my foot at the music studio.

Prosecco.

Is that how you normally are?

I mean, I admittedly I don't know you that well

but you got this weird look in your face as if...

nothing else mattered.

You completely shut me down.

- It was awful. - I know, I know.

I think it's my nerves.

Um, my mom calls it, "Leaving the planet."

Yeah, I didn't mean to do it at all.

I'm, I'm so sorry.

What's that about?

Wow, I had a great idea.

I think you should sing at the Poetry Festival.

That's a big event.

You've got already burnt me voice.

Yeah, I know and that's, that's once too many.

Apparently, I'm in drastic need of some emotional stylization too.

Cut that baby open.

I need it.

Why, what's going on?

Oh, Dora, this is the beginning of the end.

- It is? - Yes.

This is the first day of the last 30 days of my twenties.

Oh, my God.

I'm getting older, darling.

- Shut up. - Yes.

I see like I'm just getting wrinkly all over.

Let's get out of here.

And go where? There's no where to go.

Doesn't Saugerties have a... lighthouse?

Yeah, but it's like way too cold and windy.

Oh, I know, you should like...

we should go out there and you should do some like

performance out there in honor of turning thirty.

Like what?

It's totally uncivilized out here.

This is awesome!

- Be careful. - Oh, my God.

Okay, start picking up things that we can like throw into the river.

It will just blow away.

So, what, ? Just think of it is like your life up until now

And just blow them away.

This is really depressing.

Getting old is depressing.

Let's go.

Come on, you old, maid.

Get more sticks.

It's so pretty out here.

It's such a cold day to come out here.

- Whoa! - It's the light house.

This is so cool.

Ready?

Farewell old days.

Here's to better new ways.

You're like a hawk, perched, ready to devour.

The Earth, the world, my heart and all it's power.

Thank you wind for listening.

- Amen. - Amen.

Oh, that train is headed to the city.

- I wish we were on it. - I know.

Sometimes, I wish, I could get on the through-way

drive south and never come back.

- Do it. - I can't.

I have to take care of my step sister Tabatha...

Right here.

- Oh, what a cutie. - Yes, she is cute.

- And she is smart too. - Yeah.

Her parents, my dad and his on-off, on-off, girlfriend,

they don't make the time to take care of her.

Oh, that's awful.

Yes. So, otherwise, I would be gone...

long time ago.

But you've your music, Abbey, that's amazing, I mean,

I don't have anything except...

thoughts about being far away and doing huge things.

- Hmm. - But, but how do I get from here to there.

You know, like I feel like I'm in this...

this old beige waiting room.

Don't worry.

Somewhere deal will creep up on you

and it might not be huge but it fill massive.

And the beige waiting room will just be a memory.

Hey, is that Nikki?

Nikki?

Whoa.

What you doing here?

This is so weird.

Hey, well, what are you doing here?

We just made a sacrifice.

Sacrifice?

What kind of sacrifice?

It is in honor of Abbey's birthday.

She's little upset that she's turning 30.

I mean, she's upset because of, um,

because of something else.

Thirty?

Oh, you poor little thing, you.

In that case, you might just throw yourself in the river and get over with it.

Thirty, believe me, it doesn't matter.

Least until you get to be my age anyway.

For instance, I just, I just finished this record.

- Everybody says it's great. - Great.

No, but see, great is over rated.

You know what I mean?

Really, where's the life in it, you know.

I can't think the last time that I made a record

that had a track on it. They had to... grow on the listener.

When you listen to a new thing, something's not right, but then you listen to it again.

And again and again.

And slowly but surely it grabs and throws you in river.

Now the Buddhists...

Now Buddhists, the Buddhists have a saying that,

whatever you do up until the age of 50,

stop it and do something completely different.

Me, I'm little late on that one myself but--

But I thought you said that age doesn't matter.

It's true.

I'm talking about the work though, I mean, if you're not sweat

and working hard at something then you're just not... living.

On that note, it's time for this one to go.

- To go home. - Oh, oh, Nikki, Nikki

I'm all right.

Hi, Aunt Vera.

Went to the lighthouse.

Vera?

Vera?

Vera?

Aunt, Aunt Vera?

Are you all right?

How long you've been out here?

I heard the train.

This is nothing like it.

Did you give him the letters too?

Well, mostly...

scribbled thoughts.

That's when Theo did when he was gone.

Once annually burned them.

What's the use?

I know 'em all by heart.

Particularly one.

"Dear Virginia. How are you?

I can't continue.

And all the places they would know, the people...

the deadlines.

Grab my hand.

Like we used to.

Jumping trains.

And now, I'll pull you up.

And we'll escape together."

I don't have that letter.

Because Theo never wrote it.

You wanna travel, Dora.

I'll give you the money.

Okay, great.

Because I don't want you here anymore.

Degraw is interested in my journals.

I wanted you to have the spotlight, not...

what's your name.

What feeble half big brain, do you posses?

This says it's okay for you...

to just serve up my private moments on a platter

to some complete stranger.

You gave him the originals.

For God Sake, not even photo copies!

Oh, God.

Bye, Aunt Vera.

I know it was stupid, Mom.

My bus gets in at two.

The test, what about the test?

Yeah, I'll take it in Newark. Bye.

Please, get in, Dora.

Oh, my God, I'm feeling so sorry,

like the way I treated you, it was just no consideration

for the other person. I'm turning into my mom. I mean...

Oh, God, there's no respect for you or anything

and I'm so sorry, I'll call The Graw and I'm sorry.

Why do you have a trash can?

What are these?

Nothing, just...

trash.

What is they used to be?

Some are, um... images from my dreams

and others are just thoughts... it's junk, it's nothing, it's just throw aways.

Well, they may be a bit rough but they are telling.

A place where interesting things occur.

You know, my poetry club?

Oh, no, I can't read these.

Oh, not the way they are right now,

but you can work them.

And read it at the festival.

No way, no.

If you read, I'll read.

Over and over...

breaking the ice.

Rocks, like blocks.

Deep into mud.

Thud. Blood.

Crud.

Enough with the rhyming.

How's the rhyme going?

Awful, um, I mean, I...

I feel stuff, you know, but it's not doing anything

except just rolling around inside me.

You're in a muddle.

It's a worst place to be in everyday life but...

best place to be for creativity.

Listen, every writer that I know including your grand uncle,

every writer has trouble writing.

So, what did you do?

You know, how our men, men have their muses.

Well, a woman can have her muse too.

Are you saying you had some affair

with a big band musicians that helped you with your muddle.

Oh, well.

I didn't necessarily say affair, but...

Well, I was always editing and...

always writing articles and nobody wanted to publish.

So, I needed a little attention.

A lively conversation, you know.

Theo, oh, he was off on his missions.

So, I was off on mine.

So to speak.

We're so much alike.

Who wants something sweet?

Beautiful.

Before dinner?

All right.

- For you. - Thank you.

Thank you.

Ladies.

Mmm.

Oh, thank you.

So this is the recipe from the kitchen

of Mr. Henry Miller.

Of course with some improvisation by Aunt Vera and me.

What onions?

Among other things.

Isn't they yummy?

The Kalamata olives were a really good addition.

Dora, remind me to find a book, one of my favorites,

Lawrence Ferlinghetti

I think you're gonna find his work to your liking.

So, should I quiz you to prep for the test mark?

No, you should not.

What kind of law do you want to her to practice?

Oh, well, I was thinking trial because of the theater of it

and she's always being so dramatic.

But I don't know, what were you thinking, Dora?

Tax.

Is there a time to a poem?

No. A poem...

has to snake its way out of you.

And become the length, it becomes.

That sounds uncomfortable.

- It can be. - It can be.

I gonna check on dinner.

Excuse me, honey.

Thank you.

A drift of days have passed me now.

I've got so much more to think about.

Deadlines and commitments.

- What to leave in and what to leave out. - Mom.

You don't think on Vera's been acquainted

with the great poet Bob Seger.

Oh, I love that song.

I wish I didn't know now.

What I didn't know then.

Against the wind. Against the wind.

Still runnin' against the wind.

See that? Smarty pants?

Anyway I'm just trying to make a point,

I'm not as insensitive as you think I am.

And when you're making six figures,

you can donate your time and money to a local poet's group.

Isn't that right?

Well, if... That's the path she wishes to take.

Well, it should be.

I mean, look at you and me.

Where did purview, where did our heart take our fears, huh?

Down under the pit, where it aches.

Seldom comes up for air.

Well, I can't argue with that.

So, put off pleasure for a while,

knowing that all down the line, it's gonna rear it's...

Lil' luxurious and lucrative head.

- Job, money, life, that's the order, Mom? - That's right.

Is that what you told dad?

- Can I have one of those? - Oh, yes, dear.

I mean, where's the glamor in starving?

I guess, it's makes you skinny and that's fashionable.

And okay, we were passionate and starving.

But then, you came and...

everything changes.

Everything.

So...

So, dad's career wasn't good enough for you.

Your parents had the same career.

Hot glue and lumber, God, I miss that smell.

For constructing sets.

But... but getting a real job and moving to Jersey

that must've stressed dad out and probably contributed to his heart attack.

Your father didn't die from a heart attack, Dora.

He fell off a scaffold and died instantly.

What?

I wasn't' there.

Before I left.

Danny was going on and on about this.

Unusual and extravagant set.

Why did I leave, right?

I can't remember all, so foggy now.

But I came back and I...

I couldn't see him.

In the first I thought it was because of the...

my eyes.

Going from sunlight into darkness

it's always hard adjusting.

So, I want a...

beside I were like... kept, trying to find him up there.

And then I knew...

He was on the floor, he was...

No way...

I was going to tell that to my lil' girl.

Heart attack, heart attack, heart attack,

that was it. End of story.

- So, how was it, honey. - It was good.

Why the heck, do you this?

Frozen Garden.

The festival starts in an hour.

Let's go.

Well, the moment, we've all been waiting for...

She founded the Saugertie's Poetry Club, twenty years ago.

And as passionate as Vera Maxos has been and helping others

with written and spoken word, we have never heard her speak.

Oh, lucky us, tonight she takes the stage.

Vera.

Yeah, Vera.

I... am an old fool.

Which is not as appealing as when I was young fool.

But you know, I think, it's all worth it.

I think.

And luck is still on my side.

Because I have a chance to spend time with my great niece.

And she is great.

And together, with Degraw.

We are going to knock that book Paradise off the shelves

And Dora... I want to thank you.

To reintroducing me to my muddle.

Because sometimes in life... this all we have.

This poem is called All the things.

"Snow is general over the cat's skills.

Garden waits for me...

like a lover.

Contained lush, yearning... never satisfied.

Train!

You took me here and there.

Ice cold bear.

You didn't really care.

You just continued on.

Home!

You'll go into other hands.

And they'll soon know, you're creeks and shadows.

And your flaky walls...

in the cobwebs that hang.

I grew comfortable and you grew quiet.

You! In and out.

In and out.

You never may steal my heart.

How I've loved you too much.

Theodor, Edda, Vinius, Betty, Danny.

Mother, father.

Snow... is general over the catskills."

Thank you.

- I like that. - You think?

Love you.

- Where you going? - I can't do this.

No, I can't do this. It's crazier.

What's your problem? You nervous?

Everybody gets nervous.

You never hear that Janis Joplin threw up before every performance?

All right, so that something to do with the amount of whiskey she drank, but...

Nevertheless, remember what I was telling you at the river.

At least trying to tell you down by the river.

I want to you take that one energy

that's inside you that needs to come out.

And throw it at the audience.

Be a thunderbolt with words.

Make a collision between you and them.

Or... you could bail.

Sorry.

I'm nervous.

This poem is called Frozen Garden.

And it is dedicated to my Aunt Vera.

"Nature is sometimes cruel to the seeds we cast.

But some seeds pick up the wind and warm.

Dad.

I see you smiling atop this structure of your happiness.

Painting the future of your dreams...

you left behind.

I'm here now, step by step,

moving on the set, you helped create.

I want to sing my song. Loud and Proud.

But my brain makes the tune of fog muddle.

The heart is my mostly companion,

traveling along a path not weeded with ease.

Beats on as it quivers.

It's vocals sometimes faint.

I was only ten when you took a misstep

and didn't understand why you left.

Where...

your heart did not attack.

And I don't see you falling.

I see you finally able to fly.

You were brave, Dad.

And I'll be too.

Thank you.

Well, I wasn't exactly a thunderbolt with words.

But I'm struck by two extraordinary thoughts.

Everything fabulous... is not so far away from me.

And I understand why my mom wants me to go to law school.

But she should go instead.